Christmas tree cut and delivered to Union Station in Omaha

In the 1930’s, Union Pacific Railroad crews would search the Pacific Northwest for the perfect Christmas tree for Union Station in Omaha. The railroad continues that tradition today with a few modifications. Jessica Brummer with the Durham Museum, the former Union Station, says residents of Omaha now submit and donate trees for the holiday centerpiece. She says they receive about 40 submissions a year and U-P crews make a selection.

This year’s tree is a 45-foot blue spruce belonging to Marlyss Forman. She says the tree was about six feet tall when they moved into their Omaha home 27 years ago. It is now 45-feet and grew a bit too big for their yard. It is estimated the tree is about 35 years old. Forman said, ” I loved that tree but we are happy to share it.”

U-P crews cut down her tree and transported it to the Durham Museum this morning and transported it to the Durham Museum. Brummer says it will now be decorated and unveiled during the tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving.